TMJ Treatments

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TensIf you’re suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, you are going to be wondering if it can be treated, and if so, what kind of treatments are out there.  TMJ disorders are when your jaw joint fails to function properly due to strain, trauma, or other reasons. You may feel pain in the muscles around your jaw, headaches, neck aches, and more. You are probably wondering if you will need surgery, medication, or therapy? In many cases, TMJ treatments are non-invasive and conservative. However, you can find out more about TMJ treatments by taking the true or false quiz below.

True or False?

  1. True or False: There are several types of therapy to treat TMJ disorders, one of them being TENS.
  2. True or False: Ultrasound therapy can help heal soft tissue.
  3. True or False: Orthodontic treatment may be recommended to treat certain TMJ disorders.
  4. True or False: Wearing an oral splint is the most common treatment for TMJ disorders.

Answers:

  1. True: TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. During this type of therapy electrodes are placed on the skin around your jaw joint and the nerve endings are stimulated using tiny electrical currents. These currents do two things: 1) they stimulate the production of endorphins in your brain. Endorphins help kill pain. 2) They block pain signals before they reach the brain.
  2. True: Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to encourage healing of the soft tissue. The heat produced from the sound waves promotes healing. Ultrasound improves circulation which speeds up healing and helps reduce pain. It also decreases inflammation and increases range of motion.
  3. True: TMJ disorders may be due to misalignment of the teeth and jaw. In such cases, orthodontic treatment, and/or the building up of worn down molars may be recommended to help properly realign the jaw.
  4. True: Oral splints can help keep the teeth apart to prevent undue pressure on the jaw joint, and to relieve symptoms of TMJ disorders.

ABOUT YOUR DOWNEY, CA, DENTISTS:

Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at 562-645-4569.